Making Connections beyond our own practice

 Response to Skype Discussion, Sunday 18th November 2018, 8pm

It was interesting to learn about the interdisciplinary approach to training and how practice in other countries differs from our own. Often, we can get absorbed in our own environment and forget about what happens on a global scale. In a number of cultures there still seems to be a hierarchy with styles of dance, with ballet as for the elite and contemporary dance for the masses. The idea of dance being a divider or classifier of social status resonated with thoughts from the history of contemporary dance in Britain and how the public opinion was ballet as high art and contemporary as popular culture. 

The versatility of students was also discussed and whether students who study more dance styles have better skills and make better dancers. The focus on the holistic well-rounded dance student, draws parallels with my own research, suggesting that better skills equal better teaching.

We also discussed Leadership and how you can learn to be a leader. David provided some useful information about how reading a biography of a significant leader in the dance profession was beneficial, because it allowed him to read between the lines, interpret and feel empowered to make a change to his practice. This led onto a discussion of trust and building a relationship with teachers and employees in an organization. If people have shared ownership of a task they are more likely to speak out and try and improve something as they feel a shared sense of responsibility.

This led onto the cross connections of improvisation and the use of language. Using improvisation to get to know students can tell you a lot about their personalities and emphasise individuality. As improvisation is not dictated, it holds onto some of the uniqueness of the person. It is influenced by the dance style but it is a good indication of a students preferred way of moving. 

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